Cut-off mechanism for cigarette-machines



S/l. PRESCOTT. CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-22. I917- Patented July 22, 1919.

4 SHEER-SHEET I.

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APPLICAT ON FILED SEPT. 22. [9|].

Patented July 22, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR 4 /r// S. PRESCOTT.

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-22.1917- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented July 22, 1919.

N\ m RN M 3 M M WW WU 1 mu m @N 3 4 w A 6 I O m 1 mv Q 0, NW um. Nm 1 my Mm INVEA/ T 0/? S. PRESCOTT. CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22.1917.

Patented July 22, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

K m6 NM ..a m N UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SYDNEY I. PRESCOTT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN MACHINE 8;

FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR CIGARETTE-MACHINES.

Application filed September 22, 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SYDNEY I. PnnscoTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cut-( )fi' Mechanisms for Cigarette-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in cut off mechanisms for cigarette machines.

Cigarette machines of the continuous rod type heretofore in general commercial use have been equipped with cutoff mechanism comprising a reciprocating carriage provided with an oscillating mount carrying a rotating circular knife, the oscillations of the knife mount being in a direction transverse to the direction of the carriage reciprocation. In such devices, the carriage has a forward and return movement constituting a complete vibration every time an individual cigarette is cut from the rod. Its static inertia must be overcome at each end of its movement or twice each time a cut is made. Its dynamic inertia must also be overcome at, each end of its movement or twice each time a cut is made. Thus its inertia effect must be overcome four times for every cigarette cut from the rod. Similarly, the

inertia effect of the knife mount must be overcome four times for every cigarette out from: the rod. Neither the carriage nor the knife mount is a balanced structure. Machines equipped with these devices are customarily and safely operated at a speed resulting in the production of an average of about. three hundred cigarettes per.1ninute, the production varying somewhat in accordance with the general efficiency of the particular machine used. Running at this speed. the inertia effect of the two par-ts 0f the cutoff mechanisn'i is repeated twentyfour hundred times per minute, twelve hundred in the carriage and twelve hundred in the knife mount. The rapid reciprocations of the carriage along the machine bed tends to set up therein longitudinal vibrations which are communicable to the other mechanisms in the machine organization. The equally rapid oscillations of the knife mount tends to set up an equal number of transverse or cross vibrations which are also communicable to the other mechanisms in the machine organization. These longitudinal and cross vibrations do not occur sumulta- Specification of Letters Patent.

7 movement, the

Patented July 22, 1919.

Serial N0. 192,687.

neously because the cutting end of the knife mount. oscillation always occurs at or about the middleof the carriage forward movement; while the opposite end of its oscillation occurs at varying points in the carriage particular point depending upon the form of the cam or other prime mover' of the mount that is used. The amplitude, frequency, and time intervals of the two component movements of the carriage vibrations are equal, while the time intervals of the knife mount vibration movements overlap those of the carriage and are unequal, none of the movements being balanced movements. The resultant compound vibration is therefore irregular and uncontrollable. It has long been recognized that these compound vibrations interfere scriously with the proper functioning of the other mechanisms of the machine when an attempt is made to drive the machine at relatively high speed. l\Ioreover, it has been many times found that these unbalanced cutoff mechanisms cannot themselves with-- stand the racking strains developed therein when driven at relatively high speed. The desirability of higher speed has been recognized for many years in this art although no way of attaining it was found. The output of cigarette machines has thus been restricted by the limited capacity of the cutoff mechanism.

The main object of the present invention is the production of a cutoff mechanism designed to avoid the objectionable speed limiting inertia effect and resultant vibration, so that productive speed may be greatly increased and production cost correspondingly decreased. Other objects are the production of a device in which acounterbalanced knife and its carrier travel continuously in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of a cigarette rod in order to cause the knife to intermittently engage and cut the rod as it moves forward, thus completely avoiding the effects of mechanism.- inertia and machine vibration; the production of a drive for the carrier deriving its motion from an operating member on the axis of the orbital movenent: thepl'oduct-ion of a drive for the.

meat; the production of such a device in which every moving part has a revolving movement, either around an orbital axis or its own axis; the production of a device includinga. reciprocating cigarette rod guide deriving its motion from the same source as that of the orbital movement of the carrier thereby insuring its working in exact coordination with the orbital movement; the production of mechanism for maintaining the knife and guide in' transverse relation throughout the orbital movement of the carrier; and the production of mechanism for varying the position of the knife with respect to the guide to compensate for knife wear. With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations constructions and iarts which will be hereinafter fully dcscri ed and then specifically pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

1 In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts, Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed inaccordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1, artly shown in section; Fig. 3 is a sectiona view taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, a portion of the figure being stepped back from the line 3-3; Fig. i is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line -l--4 in Fig.1; and Fig. 5

- is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a knife and a carrier therefor, and mechanism for producing an orbital movement thereof about an axis at right angles to the path of movement of a cigarette rod, mechanism for maintaining the carrier in upright position throughout its orbital movement, mechanism for operating the knife, mechanism for adjusting the position of the knife with respect to the path of movement of the cigarette rod as the knife wears, and a cigarette rod guide cooperating with the knife.

In the best constructions, the knife is circular and knife rotating mechanism is provided; the mechanism for producing the orbital movement of the carrier includes an operating member on the axis of the orbital movement, the orbital movement being vertical and its axis being above the path of movement of a cigarette rod; the mocha.- nism for producing the continuous orbital movement of the carrier is a counterlmlanced mechanism every part of which has a revolving movement either around the axis of the orbital movement or its own axis, thus avoiding inertia effect and machine vibration at high speed; the mechanism for maintaining the carrier in upright position throughout its movement derives its motion from the same source as that of the orbital movement producing mechanism the mechanism for operating the, knife derives its motion from an operating member on the axis of the orbital movement of the carrier; the

mechanism for adjusting the position ofthe knife with respect to the path of movement of a cigarette rod includes a stationary-pedestal and a pillar adjustably mounted thereon,'the pillar supporting the whole knife and carrier mechanism; the cigarette rod guide cooperating with the knife is a reciprocatory guide also deriving its motion from the same source as that of the carrier and. knife and is therefore maintained in exact coordination with the movement thereof. All of the above mentioned mechanisms and parts, and'their arrangement, may be varied in construction in manyways within the scope of the claims. a

The device selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the, same. The invention therefore is not to be restricted to the de: tails of the particular structure shown and described. 1

Referring to the drawings, (iv indicates the bed of a cigarette machine of the continuous rod type. For the purpose of supporting the mechanism as a whole upon the bedt, there is provided a stationary pedestal and a pillar adjustably mounted upon the pedcstal, the pillar supporting all of the driving mechanism of the device. As shown, the pedestal is a vertical hollow cylindrical structure marked 7 secured to the bed 6 by means of suitable holding down cap screws or bolts 8. The pedestal 7 is provided with two interior bosses 9 oppositely disposed and extending throughout the height of the pedestal. Each of these bosses is provided with a longitudinal hole 10 drilled therethrough. and the lower part of the hole is provided with a screw thread 11. Telescopcd upon the pedestal 7 is a hollow vertical pillar l2 fitting the pedestal snugly but capable of longitudinal movement thereon. The upper end of the pillar 12 is closed by a top web 13, and, above the holes 10 of the pedestal. the pillar is provided with bosses l-l each having a vertical hole drilled therethrough in exact alincment with the holes 10 of the pedestal. For the purpose of moving the pillar on the pedestal for adj usting purposes, two like screws 15 are provided. Each screw has a flange 16 engaging the under side of one of the bosses 14. it also has a reduced section at 17 and just below this reduced section, it is provided with a threaded portion 18 engaging the screw thread 11 of one of the pedestal bosses 9. The screw projects through the hole in one of the bosses 14, and just above the upper surface of said boss it is provided with a screw thread 19 engaged by a locking nut 20.

It projects beyond the screw thread 19 and its projecting end is squared at 21. hen it is desired to raise or lower the pillar on the pedestal, the lock nuts 20 are loosened and the screws 15 then rotated by means of their squared ends 21 to cause the screws, through the agency of their threaded engagement with the pedestal bosses 9, to effect the desired purpose. When the desired elevaton of the pillar has been made, one of the screws 15 is locked against rotation by means of its locking nut 20. The other screw is then given a slight differential or further movement which serves to jam or lock the pillar on the pedestal. This other screw is then locked against rotation by means of its own locking nut 20. The purpose of this pillar adjustment on the pedestal is to vary the position of all of the mechanism carried by the pillar (and which will be hereinafter described) with respect to the path of movement of a cigarette rod which is always a fixed line, the necesslty for this adjustment being due to the normal wear of the cut-off knife. A suitable guide. for the cigarette rod is located in its path,

of movement, and it of course follows that adjustment of the mechanism with respect to the'path of movement of a cigarette rod is also an adjustment with respect to the cigarette rod guide.

A cutofi' knife and a carrier therefor are provided, and the carrier continuously travels in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to and offset from the path of movement of a cigarette rod to cause the knife to intermittently engage and cut the cigarette rod as it moves forward. The mechanism for producing the orbital movement of the knife carrier is supported by the pillar 12, and for the purpose of supporting thismechanism the pillar 12 is provided with an elongated bearing boss This bearing boss is provided with a bore in which is stationarily secured a bush 23. Mounted within the bush 23 is a rotating shaft 24 which will be hereinafter termed the main shaft. This main shaft projects beyond the bush 23, and upon its front end is keyed a crank 25 held in position by means of a washer 26 and nut 27. The crank 25 is provided with a counterbalancing weight 28, and upon the other side of the axis of the'shaft 24 the crank 25 is provided with an elongated bearing boss 29. This bearing boss 29 has a bore in which is stationarily secured a bush 30-.

, Mounted within the bush 30 is a crankpin 31. It will be readily understood that as the shaft 24 rotates, the crankpin 31 will describe an orbital movement about the axis of the. shaft 24, and that any machine element carried by this crankpin will be given this orbital movement. It may be here remarked that the axis of the shaft 24 and of the orbital movement lies at right angles to and above the path of movement of a cigarette rod and that the orbital movement. is a vertical orbital movement, the distance of the axis from the path of movement of the cigarette rod being designed to cause the knife moved by the crankpin 31 to intermittently engage and cut a moving cigarette rod. As shown, a carrier for the knife is provided which is made in two parts marked 32 and 33, bolted together at 34. The two parts of the carrier are respectively provided with alined bearing bosses 35 each having a bore in which is stationarily secured bushes 37 and 38. The crankpin 31 projects beyond the crank boss 29, and adjacent thereto is reduced in diameter, the reduced section being marked 39. This reduced section is rotatably mounted in the bush 37. Beyond the reduced section 39 the crankpin 31 is further reduced in diameter at; 40, and the section 40' is rotatably mounted in the bush 38.

"Beyond the bush 38 a retaining collar 41 is this means includes a pair of rotating shafts arranged in parallelism in a horizontal plane, one of these shafts being the main shaft 24 before referred to. For the purpose of supporting the second shaft, the pillar 12 is providedwith an elongated bearing boss 42 opposite the boss 22 and similar thereto. This boss 42 is provided with a bore in which is stationarily secured a bush 43, and in this bush is rotatably mounted a shaft 44. For the reason that the sole function of this shaft 44 is to aid the main shaft 24 in maintaining the carrier 3233 in upright position throughout its orbital movement, and in doing this it merely follows the movement of the main shaft, it will be hereinafter termed a following shaft.- The following shaft 44 is provided with a crank 45 keyed upon the front end of the shaft and held in position thereon by means of a washer 46 and nut 47. The crank 45 is provided with a counterbalancing weight 48 and with a diametrically opposite elongated bearing boss 49. The boss 49 has a bore in which is stationarily secured a bush 50, and in this bush a second crankpin 51 is mounted. The carrier 32-33 is provided with an integral forwardly extending arm 52 terminating in a boss 53 which is provided with a transverse bore, The crankpin 51 projects beyond the bush 50 and the projecting end is reduced in diameter at 54, the reduced section snugly fitting the bore of the carrier boss 53 and being non-rotatably held therein by means of a washer 55 and nut 56. By an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2, it will be readily i understood that thccrankpins 31 and 51 not only engage but wholly support the carrier. It will be further readily recognized that the main shaft- 24 and its crankpin 31 support the ma'or portion of the weight. of the carrier, while the following shaft 4% with 1ts crankpin 51 support the minor portion of said weight, and that the counter-balancing weights 28 on the main shaft and 48 on the following'shaft are intended to counterbalance the major and minor portions of the weight of the carrier above referred to, so that the orbital movement of the carrier will be continuous and free from speed limiting inertia effect and resultant vibration.

he main shaft 2 1 and the followin shaft 44 are intergeared with a common riving shaft, so that their movements will be properly synchronized. For this purpose the main shaft 24 projects rearwardly beyond the bearing boss 22, and upon the projecting end is secured a spiral gear 57. Similarly, the following shaft 4-1 is provided with a spiral gear 58. The two spiral gears are in mesh with a spiral gear 59const-ituting a common drive for both, this gear 59 'belng mounted upon and rotated by a vertical shaft 60'suitably mounted in the main frame of the cigarette machine and suitably driven from the main power shaft of that machine. The drive for the shaft 60 lies wholly outside of the present invention and a description thereof is not necessary to a. full understanding of the resent invention. It is therefore omitted 1n the interest of brevity and clearness.

The carrier part 32 is provided with alined bearing bosses 61-62, t e axes of which lie below, between and at right angles to the bosses 3536 before referred to. The boss 61 is provided with a bore in which is-stationarily secured a suitable bush 63, and the boss 62 is similarly provided with a bush not shown. Within these bushes is rotatably mounted a knife shaft 64. The forward end of this knife shaft, beyond the boss 62, is provided with a. retaining collar 65. Its rear end projects beyond the boss 61 and carries on the projecting end a pair of flanges 66-67, and

. a circular knife 68, all of the construction well known in the art and held on the end rotating the knife 68 throughout the orbital movement of the knife carrier to avoid inertia effect and vibration which would result if the knife were operated intermittently. This knife rotating mechanism derives its motion from a stationary member on the axis of the orbital movement through the agency of a connecting planetary train of gears housed in the carrier. As shown, the bush 23 before referred to projects beyond the bearing boss 22, and between the end of this bearingboss and the crank 25 a gear 72 is formed on the bush. Since the bush is stationary, the gear is stationary and is concentric with the main shaft 2* and located on the axis of the orbital movement. The crankpin 31 of the main shaft 21 is provided with a pinion 73 engaging the stationary gear 72, and between the carrier bearing bosses 35-36 the reduced section 40 of the main crankpin 31 is provided with a spiral car 74 which it rotates. This spiral gear is in mesh with a similar spiral gear 7 5 secured upon the knife shaft G twhich it rotates. As the carrier moves through its orbital movement, the crankpin 31 is carried around the axis of the main shaft 24, and the engagement of the rankpin inion 73 with the stationary gear 72 pro uces rotation of the crankpin 31 on its own axis, the angular velocity-in the particular structure shownbein about three times the angular velocity of t e main shaft. It will be understood of course that this ratio can be varied by varying the relative diameters of the gear and pinion. And so too the relative angular velocities of the crankpin 31 and the knife shaft 64. may be varied. Every part of the mechanism so far described is counterbalanced and has continuous revolving movement either around an orbital axis, or its own axis, or both. The structure therefore is capable of operating smoothly at high speed without affecting the operation of other mechanisms in the general machine organization.

In order to support a cigarette rod to be acted upon by the knife 68, a guide for the rod is provided. The cigarette rod moves, and must be moved, in a straight line. The guide, to properly coiiperate with the knife 68, must move in cotirdination with the orbital .movement of the carrier and knife. Its movement, however, is necessaril limited to a reciprocating movement on t e line of movement of the cigarette rod itself. In order to insure exact coiirdination of movement of the knife and guide, the latter derives its motion from the same source as the source of the orbital-movement of the carrier and rotating movement of the knife; that is to say, it derives its motion from the axis of the orbital movement. The guide itself includes two tubes in alinement on the path of movement of a cigarette rod, the leading tube being marked 7 6 and having the customary flared entrance 77. The following tube, marked 78, has a slightly flared en trance at 79, the two tubes being slightly spaced apart to provide room for the knife to pass between them. The tube 76 is secured in a boss 80 on the end of an arm 81, which arm projects from an elongated slide The tube 78 is supported in a boss 83 formed on an arm 84 also projecting from the slide 82. The slide 82 works in a slideway made up of two sections 8586 held to the bed 6 by means of belts or cap screws 87. A member traveling with the knife carrier 32-33 throughout its orbital movement is provided for reciprocating the cigarette rod guide just described in exact coordination with the orbital movement. As shown, the carrier part 32 is provided with adepending boss 88 immediately under the bearing boss 35. The boss 88 is provided with a vertical bore, the upper end of which is threaded; and in this bore a post 89 is rigidly mounted. The post 89 has a sliding engagement with a bush 90 stationarily secured in a boss 91 formed on the arm 84 before referred to. As the knife carrier moves through its orbital path, the post 89 reciprocates the cigarette rod guide. It is to be understood that the carrier rotates in the direction indicated by the long arrow in Fig. 2, and that the forward movement of the guide and knife is equal to that of the cigarette rod passino through the guide as the carrier and knife pass their lowermost position.

In view of the foregoing, a detailed description of the operation of the device is deemed unnecessary and is therefore omitted in the interest of brevity.

\Vhat is claimed is: i

1. The combination with a cigarette rod guide, of a circular knife, a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier and knife in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to and offset from the guide, and means for rotating the knife including an operating member on said axis.

2. The combination with a cigarette rod guide, of a circular knife. a carrier for the knife. mechanism for producing a continu ous movement of the carrier and knife in a vertical orbital path about an axis at right angles to and offset from said guide, and means for rotating the knife including an operating member on said axis.

3. The combination with a reciprocating cigarette rod guide, of a circular knife, a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier and knife in an orbital path about an axis-at right angles to and offset from the guide and in coordination with the reciprocating movement of said guide. and means for rotating the knife including an operating member on said axis.

4.;The COlllblllttllOIl with a reciprocating cigarette rod guide, of a circular knife, a

carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier and knife in a vertical orbital path about an axis at right angles to and above the guide and in coordination with the reciprocating movement of said guide, and means for rotating the knife including an operating member on said axis.

5. The combination with a cigarette rod guide, of a circular knife, a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier and knife in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to and ffset from said guide, means for rotating the knife including an operating member on said axis, and means for maintaining the knife and guide in transverse relation throughout the carrier movement.

6. The combination with a cigarette rod uide, of a circular knife, a carrier for the finife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier and knife in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to and offset from said guide, means for rotating the knife including an operating member on said axis, and means for varying the relative positions of the" carrier and guide.

7. The combination with a circular ci arette cutoff knife, f a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier, and knife rotating mechanism including an operating member on the axisof the orbital movement, a knife shaftmou'nted in the carrier at right angles to the axis of the orbital movement, and a gear train connecting the operating member and the knife shaft.

8. The combination with a reciprocating cigarette rod guide, of a knife, a carrier for the knife. mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to and offset from the guide and in coordination with the reciprocating movement of said guide. the source of motion of said guide. said knife, and said carrier being all located on said axis.

9. The combination with a reciprocating cigarette rod guide, of aknife, a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier in a vertical orbital path about an axis at right angles to and above the guide and in coordination with the reciprocating movement of said guide, the source of motion of said guide. said knife. and said carrier being all located on said axis.

10. The combination with a reciprocating eagarette rod guide, of a knife, a carrier for the knife. mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier in an orbital path about an axis at right angles toand offset from and in coordination with said guide, and means for maintaining the said axis.v

knife and guide in transverse relation throughout the carrier movement, the source of motion of said guide, said knife, said carrier, and said means being all located on said axis.

11. The combination with a reciprocating cigarette rod guide,,of a knife, a carrier for the knife. mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier in an orbital path about an axis at right angles to and offset from the guide and in coordination with the reciprocating movement of said guide, and means for varying the relative positions of the carrier and guide, the source of motion of said guide, said knife. and said carrier being all located on 12. The combination with a reciprocating cigarette rod guide having two tandem tubes, of a circular knife working between said tubes,-a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous movement of the carrier in a vertical orbital path about an axis at right anglesto and above the guide and in coordination with the reciprocating movement of said guide. and means for rotating the knife including an operating men'iber on said axis. the forward moven'ien-t of the guide and knife being equalto that of. a cigarette rod passing through the guide asthe carrier passes its lowermostposition.

13. The combination with a cigarette rod guide, of a knife, :1 carrier for the knife, operating means for the knife and for the carrier having concentrically mounted op crating members, a stationary pedestal, a support for the carrier having a pillar mounted on the pedestal. and means for moving the pillar to vary the position of the knife with respect to the guide.

14. The combination with a cigarette rod guide, of a knife, a ftlll'ltfil for the knife. a

stationary vertical hollow pedestal, a support for the carrier having a vertical hollow pillar telescoped on the pedestal. and a pair of adjusting screws one on either side of and housed within the pillar for moving and locking it on the pedestal.

15. The combination with a cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the -arrier including a pair of rotating shafts each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, and operat-' ingmeans for the knife having an operating member concentric with one of said shafts.

16. The combination with a cigarette cutolf knife, ofa carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a contii'iuous orbital movement of the carrier including a pair of rotating shafts provided with crankpins engaging and wholly supporting the carrier, and operating means for the nife having an operating member concentric with one of said shafts.

17. The combination with a cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a main and a following shaft each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, the crankpin of the main shaft supporting the major portion and the crankpin of the following shaft supporting the minor portion of the weight of the carrier, and operatingmeans for the knife having an operating member concentric with said main shaft.

18. The combination with a cigarette eutofi' knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of'the carrier including a pair of rotating shafts-disposed in ahorizontal plane and each provided, with a c'ankpin engaging the 'arrier, and ope 'ating means for the knife having an operating member concentric with one of said shafts.

19. The combination with a cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a. continuous orbital movementof the carrier including a pair of'rotating shafts each provided with a cmmterweighttal crank and crankpin engaging the carrier, and operating means for the knife having an operating member concentric with oneof said shafts.

20. The combination with a cigarette cut off knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a pair of shafts intergeared with a common driving shaft and each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, and operating means for the knife having an operating member concentric with one of said shafts.

21. The combination with a cigarette outoff knife, of a carrier for the knife. and mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement'of the carrier including a pair of rotating shafts each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, one of said crankpins being adapted to operate the knife.

22. The combination with a circular cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, and mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the" carrier including a pair of rotating shafts each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, one of said craukpins being adapted to rotate the knife.

23. The combination with a circular cigarette cutott' knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of-the carrier including a main and a following rotating shaft each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, and mechanism. for rotating the knife including a stationary operating mem ber concentric with said main shaft.

24. The combination with a circular cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a main and a following rotating shaft each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrler, and mechanism for rotating the knife including a statonary operating gear concentric with said main shaft,

25. The combination avith a. circular cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a main and a following rotating shaft each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, and mechanism for rotating the knife including a stationary opera-ting gear concentric with said main shaft, and a meshing gear carried by the crankpin of said main shaft.

26. The combination with a circular cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a main and a following rotating shaft each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, and mechanism for rotating the knife comprising a stationary operating gear concentric wi th said main Shaft, a meshing gear for rotating the crankpin of said main shaft, a. knife shaft, and gearing connecting said knife shaft and rotating crankpin.

27. The combination with a circular cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for "producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a main and a following shaft each provided with a crankpin engaging the carrier, and mechanism for rotating the knife comprising a stationary opera-ting gear concentric with said main shaft, a meshing gear for rotating the crankpin of said main shaft, a knife shaft the axis of which lies at right angles to the axis of said main shaft, and spiral gearing connecting said knife shaft and rotating crankpin.

28. The combination with a circular cigarette cutoff knife, of a carrier for the knife, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a main and a following rotating shaft pro vided respectively with a rotatory and a, nonrotatory crankpin engaging the carrier, the rotatory crankpin supporting the major portion and the non-rotary crankpin supporting the minor portion of the weight of the carrier, and mechanism for rotating the knife comprising a stationary operating gear concentric with said main shaft, a meshing gear for operating the rotatory crankpin, a knife shaft, and gearing connecting the knife shaftand rotatory crankpin.

29. The combination with a reciprocatory cigarette rod guide, of a carrier, a knife supported by said carrier, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier about an axis at right angles to the guide. operating means for the knife and for the carrier having operating members concentrically located on said axis, and a member traveling with the carrier through its orbital movement and constantly engaging the guide to reciprocate it in coordination with the carrier mm'ement.

30. The combination with a reciprocatory cigarette rod guide, of a carrier, a knife supported by said carrier, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier about an axis at right angles to the guide, operating means for the knife and for the carrier having operating members concentrically located on" said iik'iS, and a post rigidly mounted in the carrier and constantly engaging the guide to reciprocate it in coordination with the carrier move ment.

31. The combination with a reciprocatory cigarette rod guide, of a carrier, a knife supported by said carrier, mechanism for producing a continuous orbital movement of the carrier including a pair of rotating shafts each provided with a crankpin en-' gaging the carrier, operating means for the knife having an operating member concentric with one of said shafts, and a post rigidly mounted in the carrier and constantly engaging the guide to reciprocate it in coordination with the carrier.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

SYDNEY I. PRESCOTT. 

